Veteran Nollywood actor Chief Chiwetalu Agu has advised Nigerians against choosing a life partner based solely on virginity, stressing that good character, emotional maturity and compatibility are more important for a successful marriage.
Agu gave the advice in a video that circulated widely on social media on Sunday, where he urged both men and women to look beyond physical purity when making marital decisions.
According to the actor, virginity is a virtue that signifies purity but should not be mistaken for qualities such as loyalty, integrity or emotional intelligence.
“Keeping your virginity or being a virgin does not automatically make you wife material. Don’t marry a woman simply because she is a virgin. The same thing applies to men,” he said.
He explained that while virginity may be admirable, it does not guarantee that a person possesses the qualities needed to sustain a healthy marriage.
“Virginity signifies purity, not loyalty, good character, emotional intelligence or emotional maturity,” Agu stated.
The veteran actor also cautioned women against choosing husbands based solely on attributes such as wealth, physical appearance or social status.
“Don’t marry a man simply because he is a virgin, handsome, wealthy or successful. For the sake of your life, peace, happiness and sanity, choose someone whose character has been tested and proven,” he said.
Agu urged intending couples to take time to get to know each other, ask the right questions, and build relationships on shared values rather than superficial qualities.
He said prospective spouses should seek partners who are kind, respectful, loving, emotionally mature and committed to building healthy relationships.
“If you find a partner who is a virgin and also kind, emotionally mature, respectful, of good character and God-fearing, then you are truly fortunate,” he added.
The actor concluded by stressing that character remains the bedrock of every lasting marriage.
“Character is the foundation of a lasting marriage. Everything else is secondary,” he said.
